GIVING UP REAL LIFE TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

HEY, I’M YVETTE, I’M SO GLAD YOU FOUND MY BLOG!

Ever since my first trip overseas I have been obsessed with travel. There was something about walking down unfamiliar streets and taking in the new sights and sounds that drew me in. In 2010, I set myself a goal: that I would travel to at least one new country every year.

For five years I achieved this, but I always had this niggle in the pit of my stomach: I didn’t want to spend a couple of weeks in a new country- I wanted to have this experience full time.

In 2016, I found myself single, broke, and exhausted from working full-time and running a business.

So I made a decision. I sold my business, all my possessions and within three months I had shifted overseas.

It was Canada that made me fall in love with the outdoors. Growing up on a farm in New Zealand meant I was used to being outside and not afraid to get a little dirty, but it was the Canadian Rockies that made me realise how much I loved being in the mountains.

In my free time I went on as many adventures as I could: hiking, white water rafting, horse riding, climbing, snowboarding, snow shoeing- you name it.

I became a little obsessed with trying new things outdoors, and my confidence in all areas of my life grew. I was an average girl from a small town in New Zealand, and if I could move across the world and go on epic adventures, anyone can (and should!).

This blog is my way of sharing some incredible experiences and showing you how you can do them too.

MY LIFE in SCOTLAND

IN 2018 I MOVED TO SCOTLAND, MY FAVOURITE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

I’ve always been fascinated by Scotland’s history, particularly the First War of Scottish Independence when I found out that King Robert the Bruce was my great x22 grandfather.

My family immigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in the mid-nineteenth century. I’ve had a great time tracing their roots and exploring the land where they worked and lived. My move to Scotland has helped me connect with myself on a deeper level, and I have decided to make it my permanent home!

I now live in a tiny village on the outskirts of Edinburgh with my husband, the Haggis. He occasionally writes for my blog too. On weekends you’ll find me exploring ancient castles, hiking in the hills, or down at the pub on the whiskies 😉

HIKING THE LENGTH OF SCOTLAND

IN MAY 2018 I WAS THE FIRST SOLO FEMALE TO COMPLETE BRITAIN’S TOUGHEST HIKE: THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL TRAIL.

The Scottish National Trail took me 7 weeks to complete, beginning in Kirk Yetholm by the English/Scottish border and finishing at Cape Wrath, the most north-western point of Scotland.

I can only describe this as the adventure of a lifetime. It’s the most challenging thing I have ever done, and I started this adventure by being completely unprepared (as per usual) about what was ahead of me.

Luckily, I learnt a LOT along the way, and I saw some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes in the Scottish lowlands and highlands.

I am in the process of writing a book about my adventure which includes getting lost in the highlands, snakes, cute Scottish guys, getting caught in a storm and a heatwave (Scottish weather likes to be consistent!) and discovering the secret to inner strength.

I’ve had to postpone or cancel most of these trips due to the current circumstances. We managed to squeeze two trips in at the beginning of 2020; one to Prague and another to Budapest– so right now we are more than happy to stay at home and be still.

I’m going to be spending 2020 writing helpful travel guides from my past adventures in Scotland and beyond to inspire your future travel plans, and I’m also doing lots of research for future trips around Scotland.